Hope that a pub forced to shut its doors under emotional circumstances could reopen has been reignited
The ever-growing village of Rackheath, on the northern outskirts of Norwich, was once home to two beloved boozers.
The Green Man's closure in July rendered the Sole and Heel the village's last-standing pub before it closed a month later following the death of its landlady.
Wellington Pub Company, the freeholders of the site, have now re-entered the premises in the last week as the previous lease comes to an end.
It remains unknown whether the firm will remain in control of the premises or if the site will be sold on - but the notice has ignited hope that new tenants could take the business on for the benefit of the community.
Wellington Pub Company is yet to respond to an approach for comment.
Fran Whymark, Broadland district councillor and parish councillor for Rackheath, who has lived in the village for the best part of two decades, hopes someone will seize the opportunity to reopen the well-loved pub-restaurant.
"I hope it's up and running again soon. I'm really excited," he said.
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"If someone can get it open again, I know a lot of local people will be over the moon.
"It's the heart of the community and hopefully new people moving in can meet up there - with old friends and new."
That would be despite the hospitality industry facing hard times but with hundreds of new homes on the doorstep of the pub.
"This will be a great next chapter. Pubs evolve continually, landlords come and go - as do clientele," continued Cllr Whymark.
"But with a growing community that's left without a local, we have nowhere we can get to easily or without hopping in a car.
"I hope a new landlord injects new life into it."
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